Gov. Rick Perry delivers his seventh State of the State address today, telling the 83rd Legislature — and the rest of us — what’s on his mind and what he hopes state lawmakers will accomplish before the end of the regular session. Watch live starting at 11 a.m.
83rd Legislative Session
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Criminal Justice
Business Association Launches Criminal Justice Agenda
The Texas Association of Business, the state’s largest business lobby, is adding criminal justice reform to its agenda for the first time. The association says reducing the prison population and increasing the workforce makes business sense.
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State Government
Governor Readies State of the State Address No. 7
For the seventh time since he became governor in 2000, Gov. Rick Perry will appear before a joint session of the Texas Senate and House on Tuesday to deliver his biennial State of the State speech.
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Public Education
Hot Seat: A Conversation with Hancock and Patrick
At last Friday’s Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas at Arlington, state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-Fort Worth, and state Rep. Diane Patrick, R-Arlington, talked about public education, health care, the state budget and other issues in play in the 83rd session.
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Bidness As Usual
Some Public Business Remains in the Shadows
Politicians love transparency right now — or love to talk about it. But some of their efforts at providing it aren’t clear, and some that are clear aren’t timely. Some public records just aren’t readily available to the public.
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Bidness As Usual
Legislators Can Carry Bills That Benefit Them? Yep.
The common practice of lawmakers carrying bills or serving on committees that could directly affect their lives or livelihoods is permitted, so long as their efforts benefit all others in similar circumstances. But it still has vocal critics.
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State Government
Garcia, Alvarado Headed for Runoff in SD-6
The SD-6 grudge match between Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, and Democrat Sylvia Garcia, a former Harris County commissioner, is headed for a runoff.
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Health care
Newsreel: Women’s Health, Guns and the Lege
In this edition of the Newsreel: Legislative debate over women’s health funding, abortion and Planned Parenthood has started. This week is the 4oth anniversary of the Rove v. Wade ruling. Lawmakers are talking again about guns on campus.
Posted inState Government
The 83rd Comes to Town
Lawmakers came to Austin, took their oaths, started organizing and setting the table for the 83rd time, facing legal and fiscal uncertainties in court and hearing from leaders who want to focus on water, transportation and other infrastructure.
Posted inState Government
Two from Two Years Ago: Medicaid and Women’s Health
Debates on Texas Medicaid financing and the Texas Women’s Health Program will dominate the health care arena in the coming weeks.
